Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper are both in the lineup tonight at Dodger Stadium.

LOS ANGELES — In the ideal world, Bryce Harper would have made his major-league debut in Washington, in front of a stadium packed with Nationals fans. But if the 19-year-old had to be unveiled on the road, this might be as good a scenario as you could have drawn up.

Iconic Dodger Stadium on a Saturday night, just a short drive from Harper's hometown of Las Vegas. Stephen Strasburg, a Southern California boy himself, on the mound. And a couple of first-place clubs going head-to-head in a truly meaningful ballgame. Not bad, not bad at all.

Harper, as promised, will bat seventh and play left field. At 19 years, 195 days, he's the youngest major leaguer since Mariners ace Felix Hernandez made his debut in 2005 at 19 years, 123 days. I don't imagine King Felix's unveiling was as big a deal at the time.

As you can see from the photo credit above, I'm coming at you live from Chavez Ravine. Plenty of updates to come before, during and after this historic game, so please check back often…

And the son of Stephen's college coach in the lineup. Glad that you're there, Mark (and thanks, CSN). I took a nap and am hoping to watch in real time, but good to know that I can read updates later if I fall asleep or need to play hostess, as it turns out that my hubby invited a non-baseball-fanatic friend over tonight (What?!). Go, NATS!Iconic Dodger Stadium on a Saturday night, just a short drive from Harper's hometown of Las Vegas. Stephen Strasburg, a Southern California boy himself, on the mound. And a couple of first-place clubs going head-to-head in a truly meaningful ballgame. Not bad, not bad at all.

I'm all atwitter. My 88 year old dad is napping so HE can even watch. SO SO SO glad you are there, Mark. I am wondering if you can hemp the kid out and just leave the booth for a minute or so right as he comes up. Maybe let him bat on his own the pitch time up, then help if it's needed.It will be nice, too, to know so many Imaginary Friends will be watching "with" me tonight. GYFNG! I hope you ALL feel hitterish.

AND I just hope Davey is as good as he believe he is. He is a baseball genius but there are those who happen to run other Nats blogs who believe he ruined Darryl Strawberry's career. I'm definitely at the "other pole" I believe Davey is one of the best possible to continue/help complete Bryce Harper's development. Another great possibility might be the guy managing the Dodgers today … but I think Rizzo combined with Johnson may be the best possible for Bryce Harper … hopefully all the stars are aligned properly to make that so …

Davey ruined Strawberry's career? Based on what? The only one who ruined Strawberry's career was Strawberry himself. And, even with all his off-field troubles, he was still a heck of a ballplayer and a feared bat in the lineup.

Davey managed the Mets from 1984 to 1990… in those 7 years, Strawberry went .263/.361/.521… averaging 38 homers, 109 RBIs and 29 steals per 162 games… and made the all star team 7 out of 7 years, and in the top 6 in MVP voting 3 years…If you call that a ruined career, then I can't wait to see how Davey works with Harper…

I like your Imaginary Friends comment, JaneB. I chose to stay home alone to watch the game so have no one to share the experience with except the dog. I hope The Kid does well and that his very presence inspires some of our other hitters. Our team batting average has sunk to 26th place in MLB.I know we're still in first place in the NL East but the tomahawk chops are breathing down our necks.Go Nats!

NatsJack.. Post of the night so far..I'm all for drinkerish.I wonder what I will crack open for the occasion?.. Hmmm must think about this..Steady Eddie.. love the hitterish and pitcherish comment!GO STRAS! GO BRYCE! GO NATS!!!WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

sm13 ….The Mets have called up a kid with a left-handed swing to die for, a kid representing hope in the present and future tenses, and so the conversation naturally veers toward May 6, 1983, opening night for a slugger who had them talking before Ike Davis was born.Darryl Strawberry, 21 years old, stepped into the Shea Stadium box. At the time, the Mets were a 6-15 team lucky to draw 11,000 fans for games Tom Seaver didn't pitch."It was so nerve-racking," Strawberry said Monday by phone. "Mario Soto on the mound for the Reds, one of the top pitchers in the game. Fans cheering. The stage so much bigger and more electrifying than playing in a minor league ballpark. You've got everything going, TV cameras, the whole thing."It was Davey's decision to bring Strawberry up at at time when the Mets has desperate need. Not so much (unbelievably as that sounds to me!) the Nats of 2012. Many feel Strawberry was brought up too early, when most in the Mets organization thought he was not ready … and as you've heard more goes into that than just a player's ability. I suppose they feel Strawberry wasn't mature enough to handle the pressure of being thrust into the limelight that is New York, New York. In Bryce's case, thanks to the Redskins and Caps it will fortunately be far less so … even if he is starting in LA. I personally don't share the opinion that Davey, by overruling the Mets farm authorities, was out of line and that it perhaps led to Strawberry's downfall. However, one can't help but notice how he mentions Gooden but not Strawberry when he speaks of very young players in the minors he and his eye for talent deemed ready for the majors. Perhaps, its something a "brave" beat reporter or even fearless Boz might want to ask of the Nat's skipper?

If you call that a ruined career, then I can't wait to see how Davey works with Harper…Howl31…….. Always…Always consider the sourceAnd NEVER listen to decrepit Florida retirees who haven't really watched baseball and stake their reputation as a "baseball expert" on hobnobbing with all the beat reporters plus some of the staff in FLA ST. Ignorance is bliss when you are wrinkled from sitting in the sun too long.During the period from 1983 to 1990, Strawberry was very popular, with his image used on action figures (Kenner's Starting Lineup), posters and banners. He was also known for his disruptive behavior. He got into a physical altercation on team picture day with team captain Keith Hernandez[6] and in the midst of a war of words with infielder Wally Backman, threatened to "bust that little redneck in the face". He often overslept and was late for, or missed, team workouts. He publicly complained about Manager Davey Johnson after he was removed from the game in a double switch during the 9th inning of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, which the Mets would go on to win.Strawberry ended up having severe problems with both drug and alcohol addiction which led to his demise over time.

Hmm.. NatsJack, when I met you, didn't see any wrinkles. Just a big smiling face of a fan who is lucky enough to get to spend all of spring training watching the team. I will take the sychophant, thank you.

JaneB — I'm not 88, but I've had a couple of cups of coffee this afternoon. And I'm slowing sipping brew while watching that Baltimore club [AL baseball] waiting for the start.This is my first time posting in the new era. Took me a while.

As always, MicheleS, consider the source. When one has to demean others to boost their ego…..well sad is all you can feel. And yep! I love Spring Training and extended Spring Training and Fall Instructionals and my trips to DC (see you in May for the Oriole week end) and my trips to Miami (65th birthday party July 13 thru 15). And I really love meetiing all Nats Insiders.

So, what's the over/under for number of commenters here that will completely overreact to Bryce Harper's debut tonight? If he goes 0-for-4 with 3 K's, how many will complain that he was brought up too soon and that his development will be completely ruined?If he goes 2-4 with 1 XBH, how many will claim he's going to be the greatest thing since sliced bread?All I know is I am SO excited about tonight and I know I am going to overreact no matter what his final line will be tonight, but I'm going to try my best to keep my thoughts to myself and not to post any of my irrational reactions.

As a Mets fan from the 70s until the Nats arrived, I felt cheated when Strawberry and Gooden became cocaine addicts and failed to be lifetime Mets and Hall of Fame players. They may or may not have been brought up too soon, but they were brought up in the 80s to a team that included Keith Hernandez (whom I loved) and perhaps others who partook of the drug.I am not saying that there is nothing that Harper could be exposed to. Had it been the 90s, perhaps Strawberry and Gooden would have been on steroids. I just don't buy that their age made them doomed to falling for the peer pressure.I also don't expect that of Bryce Harper. I am far from an adherent of the Mormon church, but I do acknowledge that they have a firm and well-defined set of values that I believe would reduce the chances of those kinds of temptations felling him. PLEASE don't take that as absolute- I only mean that the philosophy and his strong family would reduce the chances.On the other hand, the kid seems pretty primed to be a victim of excessive pride. This is where Davey and the other adults need to continue their tutelage.Let's hope and pray for the best today and going forward. Every team's fans deserve a few all-time greats. Maybe Harper and Strasburg can be those.+1/2St.

1/2St.. you only have to look at Josh Hamilton – who did come from a strong family with deep religious/spiritual convictions – to see that there are no guarantees in life. I think the one thing we can say about the Nats, is they have at least cleared the decks of the Knuckleheads (I am talking to you Elijah, Nyjer, etc) and it appears (and I say that with firm knowledge that appearances can be deceiving) that we have a club of quality character guys.

Maybe it's off-topic but Mark's picture reminds me that the design and layout of Chavez Ravine might be the most pristine in the big leagues. Notwithstanding a number of business trips to LA I've never taken the opportunity to veer off and get a first hand look. Someday, maybe. Gotta think of another tax-deductible reason to be in LA, though.

Positively Half Street — It was drugs that did them in. It was the beginning of a new kind of sports figure/celebrity, and cocaine was omnipresent at a lot of parties without fear of police. And the combination did in a lot of people. I was a die hard Mets fan then, and missed that Keith was partaking, though. But enough of the past. The future is pitching and hitting tonight. As for the comment on the over/under on too many comments about Bryce, I have to ask if you have been watching the Nats from the beginning? (INSERT GRIN HERE) Because, even if it takes a while for Bryce to fit in, tonight is a night I was reminding myself "SOMEDAY" would come, during some pretty miserable years. Me, and lots more like me. I can't wait to see what everyone says because we can't wait to see what the team does. Some day, my Prince (of OppoBoppo) will come. Well. What better day for it than a day when he debuts in Los Angeles?

MicheleS-I totally agree about no guarantees, and Josh Hamilton is the best example. As a dad of 3, though, I sure hope that a strong family gives kids a better chance, although no guarantees.JaneB-Yes, you definitely captured the essence of those days. I hope we don't hear years from now that something else destructive is the vogue right now.In the end, let's all enjoy the game and hope for a victory and a hit for the kid.+1/2St.

I am psyched for tonight. Just amazing to think of the possibilities.As for the comments posted today and tonight, a little more civility is due on all fronts. Some have taken shots at peric when none were warranted. That results in return fire aimed at everyone. Peric, "…decrepit Florida retirees…" is personal, billious, lacking any relevance to baseball, and I would suspect, should you revisit that post, beneath you. Natsjack was making a valid point about whether Strawberry's Mets career could be called bad while Davey was at the helm. Your response did nothing to counter his claim, just your appeal here.

JaneB.. so glad you were able to convert your Dad and that he planned ahead for tonights festivities! I have got to work on my Mom.. My dad tried to convert her to baseball for 52 years, but I figure I can soften her up with a glass of wine!

Wine, Chimay (whatever that is), all this bubbly talk is making me nervous. The stars are out in L.A., Mark is on the scene, the Kleig lights are on and the stage is set. But, folks, let's not forget the official drink of Nats Insiders:Bourbon and Maalox. As much of each that is necessary to get you through this historic night.I know I am starting early tonight: Barkeep! Bourbon and Maalox all around for my friends.Cheers, Go You Freaking Nats Go and, to Oppo Boppo, I hope Billingsley hangs a high slider for you early, kid. Go get 'em, kid.

I wanted to try to cue up Vin Scully on radio (on my iPhone) with the MASN TV feed, but it sounds like Vin is not on radio. At least not in the first innings of the game.Does anybody know when/whether Scully does some innings of radio for the Dodgers games?

Steady Eddie – going with my nephew, who tipped me off to the news that Harper had been called up. We'll be in 220, which is also next to OUR* regular seats in 219.Looks like ehay2k and MicheleS are going to be there also.* "Our" = Cunegonde and me, not nephew and me…

Dave — Or you can be schizophrenic like me and have MASN muted with Vin on Gameday on my iPad.Y'know, one of the great things with this pitching staff is how much fun it is to watch on both sides of the ball. It's as good to watch Stras or Gio or JZimm — or EJax and Det when they're on — as it is to watch the hitters. More, these days without RZim or the Beast.

Yeah, that's what I'm doing, Steady Eddie. But I had to delay the MASN picture on the DVR to make it sync up with what Vin's describing. It's funny hearing LA radio commercials while watching the W.B. Mason ads on MASN.

Apparently Ankiel's best friend died in a car crash (or something) when he was 13 years old. Then, his dad was arrested something like 15 times between 1975 and 2000. And then, of course, the story of how he imploded as a pitcher in a playoff game, before he switched to being a hitter.I'll try to pass along other interesting tidbits as I hear them. Vin has certainly done his homework.

Scott….the world's fair was in 1982 and I'm sure the city and the whole area has changed a lot since that time. I'm only guessing as I haven't been here but just a few years.As for your boy Mick, I'll disagree with you as in my opinion his posts generally push the envelope as to good taste.

who'se to judge about "good taste"…it's a baseball blog, not disney world…i would love to go to memphis and get some bbq..and visit sun studios..where Elvis becamse King..when Elvis came out people were furious because they said he was in bad taste

I follow both Chad and Charlie on Twitter, and it was fun to "see" them arranging this in real time. From Chad's earlier tweets it seems that he's very involved now in high school coaching and in fundraising for both youth baseball and SIDS research.

Scott, agreed. BTW, i was the 1964 World's Fair in Flushing, NY. I can only imagine a World's Fair in Knoxville, lol I bet they had a Deliverance display along with "The Earth is Flat and only 5000 years old" lol

Hate to state the obvious, but Espinosa is on the verge of becoming an automatic out. I don't want to point the finger at Eckstein, but very few of our young players have developed as hitters under his tutelage.

Knoxville was the last place Hank Williams, Sr. was ever seen. Left the Andrew Johnson Hotel in a cab, believe he was heading to Nashville but I'm not certain of that. Anyway his body was never found if I recall the story correctly.

you didn't know Adam. I think Davey did say when he signed up as Nats manager that for him it is like coming a full circle with his first baseball connection was being a batboy for senators. I either read it here or someone provided a link here where I read that.anyways, great to know one of our hitters is serious about winning this game.